No matter what seed the Broncos end up with, I'm comfortable calling them the slight AFC favorites to go to the Super Bowl. It's simple math, really. The Texans aren't playing well, steamrolled in two of their last three games. They should be seen as underdogs to the Broncos and the Patriots because of quarterback play, among other factors.

That leaves the Broncos and Patriots as the two most likely AFC representatives for the Super Bowl. If New England is going to make it to New Orleans, the Patriots probably are going to have to win in Denver -- advantage Broncos.